Despite an increase in multiculturalism worldwide, racism is still a major global issue. The United Nations defines racism as “any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference based on race, colour, descent, or national or ethnic origin” (Pachter and Coll, 2009 pp. 2). Racism restricts victim’s human rights and cultural freedom, which in turn can have a damaging effect on their health and their quality of life. Racial discrimination suffered by mothers and children can have a huge negative impact on a child’s cognitive and behavioural health. A national survey taken in 2011 in Australia highlighted the ongoing prevalence of racism, reporting that eight out of ten Australians considered racism to occur within Australia in that year (The
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The review of literature previously mentioned in this essay proved that there was a correlation between racism and a child’s cognitive and behavioural health. It stated that anger and aggression as a result of racial discrimination, could predict the average alcohol intake in African American adolescents (Pachter and Coll, 2009). Furthermore, a social science research paper reviewed 121 global studies that also assessed the association between racism and child health (Priest et al., 2013). The paper found 461 health-related outcomes in children as a result of racism, 46% of which were negatively associated with reported racism and 51% of which were related to negative mental health, including loneliness, distress, negative self-esteem and social and emotional difficulties. Preschool children aged 3 to 5 accounted for 43% of the negative mental health outcomes, along with 70% of primary children aged 6 to 11 years and 76% in high school, aged 12 to 18. Behavioural problems were also found in 69% of outcomes, including ADHD, aggression and emotional issues (Priest et al., 2013) and as a result of these behaviours, substance use also appeared to have a relationship with reported racism. Although this research paper is limited to a literature review, the large quantity, the global nature and the reputable sources of the articles reviewed, give credibility to unequivocal results, which confirm that the relationship between racism and children’s mental and behavioural health does exist and is a universal issue of profound proportions.
Mothers and children from ethnic backgrounds across the world are victims of racism. In many instances, the negative outcomes resulting from their racial experiences have a detrimental effect on a child’s cognitive and behavioural health. These health issues can ultimately lead to serious, long-term illnesses, which have the potential
The review of literature previously mentioned in this essay proved that there was a correlation between racism and a child’s cognitive and behavioural health. It stated that anger and aggression as a result of racial discrimination, could predict the average alcohol intake in African American adolescents (Pachter and Coll, 2009). Furthermore, a social science research paper reviewed 121 global studies that also assessed the association between racism and child health (Priest et al., 2013). The paper found 461 health-related outcomes in children as a result of racism, 46% of which were negatively associated with reported racism and 51% of which were related to negative mental health, including loneliness, distress, negative self-esteem and social and emotional difficulties. Preschool children aged 3 to 5 accounted for 43% of the negative mental health outcomes, along with 70% of primary children aged 6 to 11 years and 76% in high school, aged 12 to 18. Behavioural problems were also found in 69% of outcomes, including ADHD, aggression and emotional issues (Priest et al., 2013) and as a result of these behaviours, substance use also appeared to have a relationship with reported racism. Although this research paper is limited to a literature review, the large quantity, the global nature and the reputable sources of the articles reviewed, give credibility to unequivocal results, which confirm that the relationship between racism and children’s mental and behavioural health does exist and is a universal issue of profound proportions.
Mothers and children from ethnic backgrounds across the world are victims of racism. In many instances, the negative outcomes resulting from their racial experiences have a detrimental effect on a child’s cognitive and behavioural health. These health issues can ultimately lead to serious, long-term illnesses, which have the potential